Homework 4 - Balance

1. How is visual weight different than physical weight?
The visual weight is a measure of how important an object is in a composition. Physical weight is a force, it is measured when a mass undergoes acceleration.

2. What happens to objects when they get close to the edges of a composition?
It depends on where the object is at on the edge. If they are near the top, they will tend to float, while near the bottom they will have a low, sinking feeling.

3. Why are human beings more comfortable with balanced compositions?
They contribute to the stability of the the human mind.

4. What happens when there is imbalance?
It throws our equilibrium slightly off. We start to ponder the composition.

5. Is there a place for purposeful imbalance? Give some examples.
Eric Fischl, Barbeque, 1982. The background is distorted and somewhat disgusting which creates an imbalance also in color.

6.Why is symmetrical balance so popular in architecture?
It does well for the structural well-being of the building. It also helps calm the mind so no one will think that a big building is falling over.

7. Can different types of balance be used in a single composition?
Yes

8. How many ways are there to achieve asymmetrical balance? Name them.
Quite stable, very dynamic, nearly chaotic

9. Is radial balance always symmetrical? Why or why not?
It can not be at some times because the middle of the symmetry may not be in the center.

Homework 3 - Emphasis

Homework 3 - Emphasis

1) Why is it important to design the positive and the negative shapes of a composition?

2) What is the difference between representational shapes and abstract shapes?

3) What are some of the ways emphasis can be achieved?

4) What kind of subjects attracts attention?

5) What happens when there are too many focal points?

6) Why is emphasis important, especially for graphic designers?

7) Which is more important: a strong focal point or unity?

1) It helps create contrast between objects. It helps them stand out.

2) We can associate representational shapes with things we can recognize immediately while abstract shapes are more left to the imagination.

3) Size, skewed angles, shape, and color.

4) Something out of place or out of proportion

5) The observer will not be able to focus on any parts of the image

6) It helps make the message stand out while the rest of the objects add to the harmony

7) I would lean towards focus because it seems to make the image comprehensible, but it's a priority to have both.

Homework 2 - Unity


1. How can mistakes help you learn?
Mistakes can help us make corrections on our work.

2. Why is "design" so important to visual communication?
When an artist designs their work, they want to make their ideals clear to the viewer.

3. What is the best way to get creative compositions and ideas?
Brainstorming is a good start. Then I would deduct and take which ideas are best.

4. In your own words, define the word "design"?
Planning a vision and bringing that vision into reality.

5. Why is composition important in graphic design?
Just like composition is important to an English paper, a composed image has it's symbols unified.

6. What happens when a design is too unified?
The composition will lack variety. It makes the viewer dissatisfied.

7. What happens when a composition lacks unity?
The composition will have too much variety and it will be harder to understand.

8. How many different ways are there to create unity?
There are six methods, Grouping, Containment, Repetition, Proximity, Continuity, Closure

9 . How can one make compositions that are more memorable?
Vary the quantity of methods

10 . What does Gestalt psychology have to do with all of this?
The human mind looks at the big picture and breaks them into separate parts accordingly.

About Me

1) I was born in Champaign, IL. I live in Monticello IL and still do. It's a nice town of 6000 people which is just now becoming more technological. By the way, if there is another person in this class named Brandon, you can just call me Arzei (ar-zay), It was a developer name given to me by Microsoft.

2) I have a high school degree from Monticello High School. My teachers always emphasized how much of a computer science head I was. I feed off of that motivation and critique to make some decent material such as movies, songs, games, and programs.

3) This is a really hard one. Artistwise, I tell myself that I am my favorite artist if I can't think of anything. I like Rush (the 80's band) because the music is played by a bunch of computer geeks, and it is clean music as well. Martin Scorsese is filmmaker of my choice.

4) I try not to brag of my computer skills. It just comes naturally with talent and motivation. I'll be broad as possible in saying that my experience is excellent in Web Development, decent in Game Programming, Computer Science, Computer Graphics Mathematics, and I'm learning the ropes of art such as Music and 3D Art Design. I have also ranked 1st place in the college-level exams of Computer Science in high school. The competition name was WYSE. When it comes to comfort, I kind of live with these computers (10/10).

5) The photo is me just being normal. My scanner is broke so I can't scan any good pictures. Musicians, you may recognize the Cubase Studio 5 in the background.

Okay

I posted this!